Manufacture of reenforced glass



May 12, 1931. w. J. BLENKO MANUFACTURE OF REENFORCED GLASS INVENTOR Patented 12, 1931 UNITED STATES Param orales WALTER J'. BLENKO, 0F PITTSBIJ'RGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO GILARIEJfCE Il?. BYRNES, OF SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA, AS TRUSTEE MANUFACT'URE OF BEENFORCED GLASS Application filed. July 3, 1929. Serial No. 875,803.

This invention relates to the manufacture of reenforced glass and provides a continuous process wherebyan improved product may be obtained. provide for drawing glass upwardly from a molten bathin sheet forni and with a reinforcement embedded therein, there being a meniscus portion above the bath and terminating in the formed sheet, and engaging the rising glass in the meinseus portion so as to size and shape the saine. Preferably the glass is engaged by shaping dies which effect a sliding contact with the glass. Such dies are maintained at above the checking temperature of the glass but below the sticking temperature thereof. By reason of the fact that the glass is engaged in the meniscus -portion where it is still quite plastic, a thorough bonding of the glass with the reinforcement is effected, all air bubbles are eliminated, and in addition to this the shaping dies impart an improved surface condition to the sheet.

1n the accempanying drawings illustrating the present preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a transverse section through a melting tank and forehearth equipped to carry out the invention; v

Figure 2 is a detail view to enlarged scale of a portion of Figure 1 and showing the risino' glass.; and

igure 3 is a perspective view of the feeding device employed for supplying the rein oreelnent.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a melting tank 2 connected to a ferez hearth 3 by a channel 4. Burners 5 maintain the glass in the drawingychamber at the desired temperature for drawing.

A. hollow wire gui `e 6 in the form of a refractory tube extends upwardl through the floor 7 of the drawing cham er. It is mounted on a support 8 movable up or down by any desired means (not shown) so that if desired the upper end of the guide may lie above the glass level. Reinforcing wire is fed from a reel 9 through rollers v10 and thence upwardly through the guide and protector 6. The guide 6 is narrower than the drawing chamber 3 so that glass may How therearound as will be necessary when the apparatus in operation.

F ourcault drawing unit, indicated generally by the reference character 11, is located above the drawing chamber 3 and comprises a casing 12 and draft rollers 13 driven, as is usual inapparatus of this character.

. In starting a draw the protector 6 is raised above the level of the glass and wire is fed upwardly therethrough to the draft rollers 13. The protector is then lowered to the position shown in Figure 1 so that glass flows over it and onto the wire. As the wire is drawn upwardly the Glass is picked up with 1t and mov-es upwardly in sheet form. The protector lis provided with end portions 14 which will always lie above the glass level as shown in dotted rines in Figure 1. This leaves the edges of `the wire uneoated and also permits of using wire of different widths.

The rising sheet 31 is connected tothe bath bya meniscus M. This meniscns is engaged adJacent its upper portion by shaping dies 15. These dies have adjacent faces which are curved, as indicated at 16, adjacent their bottom portions to slir'lably engage the glass. They are made of a nenpitting, non-eorrod ing metal capable of taking a high polish such as Duraloy (a cast iron containing relatively high chroniium They are made hollow and are provided with conduits 17 having outlets 18 whereby cooling fluid maybe circulated through them to maintain the eifective die portion 16 above the checking temperature and below the sticking temperature of the glass. Coolers 19 are provided lfor conditioning the glass adjacent the point of drawing and for assisting in chilling the same. As the glass is drawn upwardly it has skins thereon, which skins are enfraged by the shaping dies. No marring resullis.

The shaping dies size the sheet as best shown in Figure 2 and substantially eliminate waves and other surface defects from theglass. At the same time they have a compressing laction f which insures consolidation of thev glass with the reinforcing wire. Theprocess is a continuous. one, `Athe glass flowing to the drawing chamber 3 through the channel 4 and flowing around the ends of the protector 6 so that both sides thereof with the meniscus, and means for cooling the are constantly supplied with molten glass.

I have illustrated and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention. It will be understood, however, that it is not limited -to the form shown but may be otherwise embodied or practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In the method of making reenforced glass, the steps consistin in drawing glass upwardly from a molten ath in sheet orm and with a reinforcement embedded therein, there being a meniscus portion above the bath and terminating in the formed sheet, and causing first contact with the glass by didably engaging the surfaces of the risin glass in the meniscus portion so as to size an shape the same.

2. In the method of making reenforced glass, the steps consistin in drawing lass upwardly from a molten ath in sheet orm and with a reinforcement embedded therein, there being a`meniscus portion above the bath and terminating in the formed sheet causin first contact with the rising glass by slidgably engaging the surfaces of the rising glass in the meniscus portion so as to size and shape the same, and maintaining the active portions of the dies above the checking temperature and below the sticking temperature. 3. Apparatus for making reenforced glass comprising a bath of molten glass, a guide extending upwardly through the bath and adapted for the feeding of a reinforcing material therethrough, the guide terminating below the surface of the glass whereby as the reinforcement rises upwardly glass adheres thereto and forms a meniscus, means for drawing the formed glass upwardly, and cooling surfaces having initial sliding engagement with the rising glass.

4; Apparatus for making reenforced glass comprising abathpf molten glass, a guide extendin upwardl through the bath and adapted or the fee ing of a reinforcing material therethrough, the guide terminating below the surface ofthe glass whereby as the reinforcement rises upwardly glass adheres thereto and forms a meniscus, means for drawingA the formed glass upwardly,and shaping dies having initial contact with and slidably engaging the meniscus.

5. Apparatus for making reenforeed glass u .comprising a bath of molten glass, a guide extending upwardly throughlthe bath and u dapted for the feeding of a reinforcing material therethrough, the guide terminating below the surface of the glass whereby as,l

the reinforcement rises upwardly.y glass adheres thereto and forms a meniscus, means for drawing the formed glass upwardly, shaping dies having initial sliding contact dies.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntoset my hand.

WALTER J. BLENKO. 

